Neighbor arrested in missing California couple's disappearance

Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Police in California have arrested a man in connection with a missing couple that disappeared from their home in a nudist resort in San Bernardino County late last week.

Officials confirmed they arrested the neighbor of Daniel Menard, 79, and Stephanie Menard, 73, late Thursday night.

The couple are now presumed dead, although police have not said if they've located their bodies.

Michael Sparks, who lives near the couple inside the resort in Redlands, Calif., was arrested after police said they received a tip. Officers surrounded the 62-year-old's home Thursday evening with the help of a SWAT team.

Sparks was eventually arrested without incident after officers located him underneath the home's floor. The single-story building was severely damaged after police used an armored tactical vehicle to break through the walls as they searched for Sparks.

"Let me say he surrendered voluntarily. I won't say he's been cooperative, but he did surrender voluntarily last night after lengthy negotiations," Redlands Police Department spokesman Carl Baker told reporters Thursday night during a media availability session.

Sparks is being held in custody.

Police were seen with cadaver dogs searching the area Friday.

"RPD is currently on scene at the suspect's house preparing to search for the bodies of the couple. Due to extensive damage, the structure will need to be made safe before searchers can enter," police said in an update on Facebook.

"We are confident that they are deceased and that they are still here on the property," Baker told reporters.

The Menenards were last seen Saturday at their home in the nudist resort, leading to a major search for the elderly couple in the Inland Empire region, adjacent to coastal Southern California and centered around the cities of San Bernardino and Riverside. The couple's Shih Tzu was also reported missing at the time and the dog's whereabouts remain unknown.